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4.56 AVERAGE
4.56 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one gutted me, but it was such a good story. Its immediately in my top 5 for the year. I could not put it down because I just needed to know what was going to happen after each time Cas left. I hated how much Jude was hurt just because he was caught in the crossfire between Caspien and Gideon. Each character had their own trauma that affected Jude, and I just wanted so much for Jude to be happy, I wanted his innocence to be protected.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Y'all can fuck right off with the "Caspien character development" he was manipulative, cruel, hurtful. He used and reused Jude time and time again. Yall are talking about Caspien getting groomed? Fuck that. How about Caspien grooming Jude in his own way SO FUCKING BAD that he couldn't even so much as breathe without being brought back to Caspien. At times I felt so much blinding rage that it was insane. I hated him till the very end. Jude needed Nathan. The book wouldve gotten one more star had he ended up with someone who actually loved and respected him.
conflicted until the end
This book…. Initially it was hard to get into, the writing felt pretentious (and in some ways it very much is, as tho the author believes herself to be Dickens) but then I got past the prologue and into the story. I usually dislike enemies to lovers because they’re never truly enemies but she nailed the genre - I’ll give her that. Then the awful thing happened (no spoilers) and I hate-read part 2 and then it got better again, tho how manipulative Cas is was nearly unbearable, I thought that while I wanted a happy ending for Jude I never believed he could truly have one with Cas- HOW could he ever trust that man?? But part 3 was a redemption I didn’t see coming (tho I always knew who Jude’s benefactor was- that was obvious) the author skillfully assuaged my worries about Cas by using his POV for the epilogue- that was a very smart choice and I was thankful for it! I don’t think many readers could have ever trusted Jude’s HEA without it.
This book…. Initially it was hard to get into, the writing felt pretentious (and in some ways it very much is, as tho the author believes herself to be Dickens) but then I got past the prologue and into the story. I usually dislike enemies to lovers because they’re never truly enemies but she nailed the genre - I’ll give her that. Then the awful thing happened (no spoilers) and I hate-read part 2 and then it got better again, tho how manipulative Cas is was nearly unbearable, I thought that while I wanted a happy ending for Jude I never believed he could truly have one with Cas- HOW could he ever trust that man?? But part 3 was a redemption I didn’t see coming (tho I always knew who Jude’s benefactor was- that was obvious) the author skillfully assuaged my worries about Cas by using his POV for the epilogue- that was a very smart choice and I was thankful for it! I don’t think many readers could have ever trusted Jude’s HEA without it.
When Romance Misses the Mark: 'Oleander' Leaves Much to Be Desired
• Rating 2.5/5
• Romance 1/5
• Spice Level 1.5/5
• Writing Style 4/5
• Audio Narration 5/5
This book has been making waves in the book community, but sometimes a story doesn't resonate with every reader. Despite the hype, I found myself struggling to connect with this tale of unrequited love and complicated relationships.
The story centres around Jude and Caspian, two characters who are as different as night and day. Jude is warm and earnest, while Caspian is distant and often cold. Unfortunately, their relationship feels forced and lacks the essential chemistry that makes a romance compelling.
The interactions between them often come across as toxic, with Jude continuously putting himself in emotionally damaging situations for the sake of a love that doesn't seem to love him back. One of the main issues is the lack of insight into Caspian's behaviour. Throughout the book, his actions remain inexplicable, and we never truly understand what drives him. This makes it difficult to empathize with his character or root for their relationship. Jude basically remains obsessed with Caspian no matter how much time has passed and how many times he gets rejected. This was another extremely non-realistic thing for me.
I kept hoping for a revelation that would justify his demeanour or at least provide some depth, but it never materialized.
The absence of mutual respect and genuine connection between the protagonists makes their eventual pairing feel unearned.
Character development is another area where Oleander falls short. Both Jude and Caspian remain largely static, showing little growth despite the challenges they face.
This stagnation made it hard to stay invested in their journey, and I found myself wishing for more evolution or at least a clearer resolution to their personal struggles.
On every interaction between them where Jude is asking for explanations, ALL THE TIME ALL HE GETS BACK IS “IT WASN’T LIKE THAT” – but with 0 explanations as how it was.
To be honest, I don’t understand why Caspian blamed Xavier or Gideon, when all the fault for this failed story is on him. Caspian is a character that did not deserve to even have his own story, not to mention own HEA. He was mean/rude/bad from the beginning till the end with no reason at all.
The ending left me feeling unsatisfied, as it seemed like a convenient way to bring the characters together without addressing the underlying issues in their relationship. It felt more like a forced happy ending than an earned conclusion to their story. I definitely didn’t think they deserve to be together. Their chemistry and connection was inexistent during 95% of the book.
While Oleander has moments of beautiful prose (very few I might add) and the potential for a deep, emotional narrative, it ultimately didn't deliver the romantic connection and character development I was hoping for. Sometimes, love stories remind us that not all relationships are meant to be, and that's okay.
If you're curious about the buzz and want to form your own opinion, give Oleander a read. But for those seeking a heartfelt romance with well-developed characters and genuine chemistry, this one might not hit the mark.
I just feel I lost 2 days of my life listening to this audio…
• Rating 2.5/5
• Romance 1/5
• Spice Level 1.5/5
• Writing Style 4/5
• Audio Narration 5/5
This book has been making waves in the book community, but sometimes a story doesn't resonate with every reader. Despite the hype, I found myself struggling to connect with this tale of unrequited love and complicated relationships.
The story centres around Jude and Caspian, two characters who are as different as night and day. Jude is warm and earnest, while Caspian is distant and often cold. Unfortunately, their relationship feels forced and lacks the essential chemistry that makes a romance compelling.
The interactions between them often come across as toxic, with Jude continuously putting himself in emotionally damaging situations for the sake of a love that doesn't seem to love him back. One of the main issues is the lack of insight into Caspian's behaviour. Throughout the book, his actions remain inexplicable, and we never truly understand what drives him. This makes it difficult to empathize with his character or root for their relationship. Jude basically remains obsessed with Caspian no matter how much time has passed and how many times he gets rejected. This was another extremely non-realistic thing for me.
I kept hoping for a revelation that would justify his demeanour or at least provide some depth, but it never materialized.
The absence of mutual respect and genuine connection between the protagonists makes their eventual pairing feel unearned.
Character development is another area where Oleander falls short. Both Jude and Caspian remain largely static, showing little growth despite the challenges they face.
This stagnation made it hard to stay invested in their journey, and I found myself wishing for more evolution or at least a clearer resolution to their personal struggles.
On every interaction between them where Jude is asking for explanations, ALL THE TIME ALL HE GETS BACK IS “IT WASN’T LIKE THAT” – but with 0 explanations as how it was.
To be honest, I don’t understand why Caspian blamed Xavier or Gideon, when all the fault for this failed story is on him. Caspian is a character that did not deserve to even have his own story, not to mention own HEA. He was mean/rude/bad from the beginning till the end with no reason at all.
The ending left me feeling unsatisfied, as it seemed like a convenient way to bring the characters together without addressing the underlying issues in their relationship. It felt more like a forced happy ending than an earned conclusion to their story. I definitely didn’t think they deserve to be together. Their chemistry and connection was inexistent during 95% of the book.
While Oleander has moments of beautiful prose (very few I might add) and the potential for a deep, emotional narrative, it ultimately didn't deliver the romantic connection and character development I was hoping for. Sometimes, love stories remind us that not all relationships are meant to be, and that's okay.
If you're curious about the buzz and want to form your own opinion, give Oleander a read. But for those seeking a heartfelt romance with well-developed characters and genuine chemistry, this one might not hit the mark.
I just feel I lost 2 days of my life listening to this audio…
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
- Cas irritated me greatly throughout part 1 but I never forgot that he was a victim and I cried at the end of part 1 over the fact that Gideon didn’t even care at all to try and do something about the situation after finding out. His nephew that he raised and was supposed to be the protector being by his lawyer that he thought was his friend and his reaction was so mild. Cas was truly failed by him and he deserved a better parental figure. Gideon is as horrible as Xavier.
- I wrote that part right after finishing part 1. Finishing part 2 and finding out Gideon had intended for Xavier and Cas to get involved………he truly is scum.
- I read this book in one sitting. Stayed up all night until 6 forty something AM. Not sure how I’d rate it though. I’m not sure I would ever read it again. My stomach was in knots throughout so much of it. There were few sections where I could say I “enjoyed” reading it as in felt happy in what was going on. Those moments were when Jude was feeling happy with Finn and Nathan. At the end when he is making up with Cas, I kind of had mixed feelings. I was happy that Cas had finally got out of that relationship and was glad that they would be happy together and have so much of their lives ahead of them as they’re only in their late twenties. But I was convinced early on in the second part that this book wasn’t going to have a happy ending so I was just wishing that Jude would get over Cas until the last part. I’m not unsatisfied with the ending though. (I do wish we got to see something from Beth and Jude though, even if they didn’t make up). Idk. It was a good reading experience in the way that it kept me hooked, but some parts definitely could’ve been shorter mayybeeee. And yeah although I couldn’t put it down I don’t think I’d pick it back up again lol.
Oh and I haven’t read Great Expectations at the point of reading this book.
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this book. It was not easy to read but the style in which it is told is very unusual for the romance genre. It definitely followed the basic storyline of the source material. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of Dickens or Great Expectations. That said, I still did enjoy this book even though it was somewhat painful. I didn't love the pacing, but again it was true to the source. I think overall it is a well written reimagining.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes